Mile 47

When Susan Aucoin was 29 weeks pregnant, she was told that she had twin to twin transfusion syndrome, a rare disease of the placenta that only affects identical twin pregnancies.  Her OB then sent her to a specialist who discovered a congenital defect in one of the twins;  that baby would have to have open heart surgery soon after birth. On April 27, 2009 Henry and Benjamin were born.  Henry came out first and was quickly taken to the NICU. Neither Dwayne nor Susan were able to hold Henry. Or touch him. They were just able to look at him and rub his fingers. Later that day he was transported to the NICU at Manning Family Children’s.

Henry’s first open heart surgery took place on May 15, 2009. He was the smallest baby that his surgeons had ever done this particular surgery on, weighing a mere 4 1/2 pounds and his heart about the size of a quarter.  Some 13 hours later, despite his size and the grim warnings, Henry’s surgery was successful. ​After two months, on June 28, Susan and Dwayne were finally able to hold Henry for the first time. Soon after that Henry was able to meet his big sister Emily.  ​On July 12, Henry was finally released from the CICU and he was re-united with his twin brother Benjamin after 77 days apart. On July 13, Henry was finally able to go home.

Since that time, Henry has had two additional open heart surgeries, with the latest being in June 2024, and he continues to do great under the care of the team at Manning Family Children’s. Henry has taught Susan & Dwayne so very much in his short life.  Henry is a constant reminder to be grateful for what they have. They feel so lucky that they are able to know what it means to just have all three kids home with them — screaming, fighting, playing, all of it — but they have all 3 with them.  Because their lives would be so very different had Henry not made it through.  Henry turned 16 in April 2025.